The locals of a coastal town seem to be en masse psychotic, as we witness outsiders being slaughtered by them. The local sheriff and coroner both set out to find answers as to what’s happening.

Dead and Buried is a true one-off. It incorporates elements of The Fog, The Stepford Wives and the work of Shirley Jackson but even this description doesn’t do it justice.

The kills are brutal and excellently executed (Stan Winston is responsible for the effects) and it was these which were shortened by the BBFC for the film’s cinema release (the opening fire scene and the syringe in the eye sequence were both trimmed). After that it was banned on home video and then removed again from the infamous list.

The coastal locale gives the film an oddly homely feel even though there’s some horrific things happening in Potter’s Bluff. I also love how the entire film changes course for the ending. Anyone who says they knew what was coming is full of shit. It’s a very unexpected ending that works very well. Dead and Buried builds up the suspense and atmosphere brilliantly.

Dead and Buried tanked badly at the box office (it made less than $250,000 against a budget of $5-6 million) but has gone on to be a fan favourite.

Look out for a young Robert Englund.

4 out of 5 stars